Lost a dear friend and neighbor. Striving to accept and adjust to the loss. He was one in a million. Spent years picking me up at the airport between midnight and one AM, and taking me back between three and four-thirty AM. He was a beta reader for books two through four, and made many valuable recommendations. He served as a resource for Murder on a Stick, providing details on the workings of the ticket booths in the midway at the State Fair. He made my life so much easier and more joyful. Rest in peace, Gale. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Enjoyed lunch at the Christos in South Minneapolis with the Christos manager and waitress who play a part in Mistletoe and Murder: The Fourth Pete Culnane Mystery. You’ll have to read the book to learn how they contribute to solving the crime.

Mistletoe and Murder: The Fourth Pete Culnane Mystery is set for an August 1, 2017 release. It will be available at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair (August 24-September 4). The launch party will be on September 5 at Subtext Bookstore, 6 West 5th Street, St. Paul, MN at 7 PM. Join us for a reading, followed by a Q & A and treats. Everyone is welcome. I’d love to see you!

Fair Wear booth on Dan Patch Ave. (about two blocks west of main gate on Snelling)

All three of my books will be available at the fair this year. Find them at any of the Gold Country booths: (1) the booth called Fair Wear” on the northeast corner of Judson and Dan Patch (see photos), (2) inside the main entrance of the Grandstand, (3) inside the main entrance of the Coliseum, and (4) in their tent at the entrance to the Visitors Plaza.

I’ll be outside the Fair Wear booth on the NE corner of Judson and Dan Patch, between 1:00 and 4:00, on August 27th and 31st. Stop by and say hi.

During the last week of October, I spoke to a second grade class about writing. The kids amazed me! One child asked, but not in so many words, if I ever had writers block. If I did, he wanted to know how I dealt with it. The class blew me away! They knew so much about writing.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, because the kids were so attentive and interested.

Murder on a Stick: The Third Pete Culnane Mystery, was released on August 6. The launch party was at Subtext: A Bookstore, located in St. Paul, on September 3. The turnout was FANTASTIC! It was followed by a signing at Once Upon A Crime, in Minneapolis, on September 6. One patron provided an excellent suggestion for the title of book four: Mistletoe and Murder. Now all I have to do is finish writing that book. Remaining optimistic, but not far along enough to have any idea of a target date.

Three events are scheduled, celebrating the release of Murder on a Stick:

September 3rd, you could eat dinner at Nina’s or W.A. Frost, then join me at Subtext: A Bookstore (165 Western Avenue North, St. Paul, MN) at 7 PM for the book launch party. The party includes a reading, followed by a Q & A session. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

eptember 6th from noon ’til 2 p.m., support Pat and Gary, the owners of one of your favorite mystery bookstores at Once Upon A Crime Mystery Books (604 West 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN). This event includes a signing, and a chance to ask me how I got myself into this, what I just learned about Pete’s great-grandmother, you name it.

Murder on a Stick: The Third Pete Culnane Mystery will be released on August 1. Look for it in your local bookstore. If you don’t find it in your library, copy the ISBN from the BOOKS page of this website and request it. You can also find it at all four Minnesota State Fair gift shops!

This is the third year I’m participating in JANO. It’s an annual writing contest sponsored by Sleuths Ink, a writing group based in Springfield, Missouri. The goal is to write 50,000 words, during the month of January.

The manuscripts drafted the first two years I participated are now books two and three in the Pete Culnane mystery series. I have my heart set on completing a rough draft for book four this time around. For that reason, I’ve done little other than write since New Year’s Day.

Sunday, January 5:Set 5,000 words per day as my goal. Not doing well on that count. Even so, the story is taking shape. Hope my brain and my fingers continue cooperating.

Monday, January 13: After two days of doing almost nothing except writing, hit the contest goal of 50,000 words. Then added another 145 words to complete the thought. Pete and Martin solved the crime, but there are still loose ends to tie up.

I was thrilled with an invitation to speak to a 1st grade class about writing books. Learned a lot in the process. Received the ultimate compliment from the teacher. She said, “The kids just adored you!” What a great feeling. Made my year.